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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it

Occupation magazine - Commentary Home page  back Print  Send To friend Ohad Naharin: Israelis are committing war crimes By: Walla! editorial board walla.co.il 26 May 2005 http://news.walla.co.il/?w=/0/721715 Translated from Hebrew by Mark Marshall The choreographer and Israel Prize laureate said those words in an interview with a Canadian newspaper. The Foreign Ministry: Nahrin is seriously harming the image of the State of Israel. The Israel Prize laureate choreographer Ohad Naharin expressed harsh criticism of Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians. Naharin said in an interview with the Canadian newspaper The Gazette: “I continue to do my work, while 20 km from me people are participating in war crimes … the ability to detach oneself from the situation – that is what allows one to go on.” The article was published in the arts section of the newspaper. It was reported that Naharin volunteers as a translator for the organization Mahsom-watch. “IDF soldiers calm down only when they fear that their mothers are watching them”, said Naharin. “That’s how abuse of force is reduced.” “Yediot Ahronot” reports that in another article published in the Canadian newspaper La Presse, Naharin was presented as “a pro-Palestinian who strongly opposes the Israeli occupation.” Sources in the Foreign Ministry criticized Naharin’s statements and said that they seriously harm the image of Israel, especially in view of his being an Israel Prize laureate. It should be mentioned that when Naharin received the prize, he said that it was the citizens of Israel and not the stewards of the state who had conferred it on him. Sources close to Naharin reported in response: “Ohad brings a lot of honour to Israel in the world, and he has the right to say what he feels.” Links to the latest articles in this section Borderline Views: Fighting on two fronts Palestinian Investment Fund Nakba`s Meaning and Memories